WhatsApp Removes 6.8M Scam Accounts in 2025

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, removed over 6.8 million accounts linked to international scam networks in the first half of 2025, with many operations originating from Southeast Asia. These scams are largely run by organized crime groups using coerced labor and involve fraudulent investment schemes, cryptocurrency cons, and pyramid schemes that shift victims between platforms to avoid detection. Some operations used AI tools like ChatGPT to generate persuasive scam messages. Meta, in partnership with OpenAI, helped dismantle a major scam network based in Cambodia. WhatsApp is introducing new safety features, such as group safety screens and alerts for messages from unknown contacts, to enhance user protection. Meta stresses that user education, advanced technology, and cross-industry cooperation remain vital in combating online scams.